Atlantic City, NJ Man Pleads Guilty To Guns & Drug Charges

Atlantic County, New Jersey Prosecutor Will Reynolds has been racking-up convictions and guilty pleas at a fast and furious pace.

The latest involves a guilty plea by Nahjajuan Ellis, 23, of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Ellis pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Donna M. Taylor to certain drug and handgun offenses … which were the direct result from the execution of a residential search warrant in January, 2023.

Ellis pleaded guilty to:

• first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility.
• second-degree possession of heroin and fentanyl with the intent to distribute.
• second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun.

Additionally, Ellis has also pleaded guilty to unrelated charges, including:

• two counts of obstructing the administration of law.
• one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it.

Under the plea agreement, Ellis will e sentenced to concurrent prison terms for these crimes.

“Under the terms of his plea agreement, Ellis is expected to be sentenced to an aggregate term of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility under the Graves Act,” said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

About this operation, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said:

On January 26, 2023, the Vice Unit of the Atlantic City Police Department executed a search warrant on an apartment in Atlantic City. Prior to executing the warrant, Ellis was seen exiting the front door the apartment and was taken into custody. Inside the apartment, police found a loaded and stolen handgun and over a half ounce of packaged heroin and fentanyl. Police additionally recovered paraphernalia commonly utilized to package heroin and fentanyl for sale, including stampers, ink pac scales, and empty baggies. A total of $8,565 in United States currency was also seized as drug distribution proceeds, said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Ellis case was investigated by the Atlantic City Police Department, including its Vice Unit.

The Ellis case was prosecuted by members of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office's Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit.

Ellis is detained in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending sentencing, which is expected to take place during the month of July, 2024.

SOURCE: Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.